Heart attack, also known as acute myocardial infarction, is a disease that is known for being the main killer of the population of the United States. By holding 40 percent of the annual deaths in the U.S., heart attacks have a wider spread than any other disease, including cancer in all of its forms.

Taking into consideration the statistics, acute myocardial infractions signs should be taken seriously in order to prevent the actual heart attack from happening. In reality, though, most people who experience symptoms don’t give them much thought, because the pain is usually temporary, sometimes it doesn’t have much intensity and it is often assumed that the source of pain is not coming from the core. Therefore, it is extremely important to be informed about the symptoms which are associated with heart attacks, just as it is important to keep track of the pains you experience; it is always more prudent to prevent than to treat.

Not all heart attack patients experience the same symptoms—it doesn't always start with a sudden severe pain in the chest like we have been lead to believe. In fact there is one study that shows one third of heart attack patients didn't feel any chest pain. You need to be aware of the other signs of a pending heart attack.

Common signs of a pending heart attack

The easiest to recognize signs of a pending heart attack are slight sensations or pain in the chest. So if you experience chest pain it is recommended you visit a doctor immediately. Chest pain does not always mean you are having a heart attack but it is better to check even though it may turn out that the pain you were experiencing is nothing serious that will effect your long term health.

Being too casual about chest pain is, in fact, one of the reasons for the high number of deaths caused by this particular disease – many people don’t head the symptoms until it is too late.

The following list contains the most common symptoms of a pending heart attack, so that you will know what to look for.

Chest pain/discomfort : Of course, when it comes to heart attacks the most obvious sign we are looking for is chest pain or a burning sensation around our core. While it makes sense to suffer from this kind of symptom when a heart attack is around the corner, the reality is that not everyone experiences chest pain and even if they do, in some cases the pain can be so mild that most people ignore it and wait for it to pass. If the burning sensation, pressure or fullness sensation that you feel comes from the center of your chest and it doesn’t disappear after resting or even if it disappears for a while and then returns, the chances are that it may indicate a heart attack.

Fatigue :The majority of peopl feel tired and weak once in a while, so this particular symptom can fool many of us. We are used to this sensation, so we assume from the beginning that it comes from lack of rest or from mental or physical exertion. While this may be the case, fatigue can be a sign of a heart attack when it is experienced without a reason or when it is combined with other signs from our list.

Sweatiness : Surprisingly, sweatiness is the symptom that most people recognize and has them visit a doctor to be checked. It tends to be more common than chest pain and one of the most discomforting feelings, which may explain why heart attack sufferers react quicker to this symptom. Therefore, if you sweat excessively without an obvious reason or if your hands get clammy and sticky to the touch all of a sudden and you are also experiencing one of the other signs from our list, you should see a doctor or visit a hospital immediately.

Discomfort in the upper part of your body : Shoulder pain, upper back pain or arm pain represent common symptoms when it comes to heart attacks. Obviously, this type of pain can also come from playing an intense match of volleyball or doing some kind of heavy workout, but if you experience upper body discomfort while also having chest pain or any other sign from our list, you should call the ambulance right away. Time is limited and extremely valuable when it comes to heart disease. Taking prompt action could save your life.

Shortness of breath : Having trouble breathing, need to take deep breaths to get air into your lungs or have an irregular breathing rhythm, you should know that these symptoms are not always associated with lung problems—they could easily indicate a pending heart attack. It is worth noting that your shortness of breath could indicate another health problem which if checked could be diagnosed. If in doubt It is always a good idea to have yourself examined by a medical specialist.

Anxiety : Unfortunately, nowadays people face anxiety more and more often. This is also the reason why anxiety isn’t a clear sign of a pending heart attack, as you could suffer from an anxiety disorder or you could face a very stressful period in your life. What is sure is that anxiety can be a sign of heart attack, if it has no apparent reason or if it’s accompanied by light headiness, dizziness or nausea—pay attention to your body and seek medical advice.

Sudden symptoms : Be aware of sudden or new symptoms or if the pattern of the symptoms change or last longer. The more symptoms you suffer or if they become stronger or last longer are signs you shouldn’t ignore.

Summary

Listen to your body, be aware of the signs that it’s trying to give you and always act fast if something doesn’t feel right. The more symptoms you suffer, or if they become stronger or last longer, are signs you shouldn’t ignore If you think you are having a heart attack, calling an ambulance is the safest and quickest way to be admitted to a hospital.. Illness is easier to prevent than to treat.